Eating out these days is far different than it was when our grandparents dined out forthose special occasions at one of the few mom and pop restaurants around town.

The choices in kosher dining today are plentiful and wide-ranging. Culturally, we have expanded beyond the standard fare of French, Italian, Chinese or Israeli Mediterranean. Our Jewish melting pot now includes Persian, Thai, Indian, South American, Japanese, Baltic and more. We no longer are satisfied with the categorical breakdown of fish, meat or dairy, but require that fine restaurants include on their menus a variety of fresh salads, sushi, and complex fish dishes, vegetarian and healthy alternatives. We crave space, superb service, variety, artistry and an overall great dining experience. We dine out more frequently and collectively have become more sophisticated on the specifics of what we want from our dining experiences.

Fast food is cheap and quick. Casual style or family type dining needs to be kid friendly, ample, relatively quick economical and tasty. Semi formal demands more class, more style, more variety, BUT still requires economy. Fine dining has to meet more exacting competitive criteria.

The fine kosher patron of today expects a big bang for his buck. He requires a unique ambience, great service, and outstanding cuisine; food that is fresh, simple yet complex, and visually exciting. He or she wants to be delightfully surprised, yet yearns for consistency in greatness with some masterful standards that might inspire him or her to revisit for the unmatched taste, originality and quality. We expect wonderful wines and aperitifs, desserts that are either light and callorically mindful or naughtily decadent worthyof tomorrow’s guilt-ridden workout.We not only want to be treated like VIP royalty, but made to feel like we are the raison d’etre of our gastronomic choice for the evening. We want a dining experience that leaves us wanting another very much like it soon.

Dining out is acompetitive enterprise these days and all are eager for your patronage. Dining out is, all too often, more than just about food. Is there an interesting event at the particular restaurant? Is a celebrity chef shaping up a particular eatery’s kitchen? Is there a new cookbook out worthy of your attention? An exotic new product making its appearance in the kosher market? This is the place to find out, this is the place to compare notes. Our goal at The Kosher Scene is to delight, inform and help you navigate the fine kosher restaurant scene, offering deals and newsworthy articles and recipes that will keep you coming back for more and more. Eat, enjoy, and be satiated!